Final Answer:
The nurse practitioner understands that puberty starts in Tanner Stage 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tanner Staging, also known as the Tanner Scale or Sexual Maturity Rating, is a system used to assess and describe the physical development during puberty. It ranges from Tanner Stage 1 to Tanner Stage 5. Tanner Stage 1 represents prepubertal development, while Tanner Stage 5 indicates full physical maturity. Puberty is considered to start in Tanner Stage 2.
In Tanner Stage 2, the first signs of puberty become apparent, including breast development in girls and testicular enlargement in boys. These initial changes signal the onset of puberty, and subsequent stages represent the progression of physical and sexual maturation. Understanding Tanner Staging is crucial for healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners, in assessing and addressing the physical development of adolescents.